Civil War service held at St. Peter’s in Westfield

July 12, 2013

WESTFIELD - St. Peter's Episcopal Church was excited to have the participants of the Civil War reenactment join the congregation for its Sunday worship service on Sunday, June 9.

Members of the congregation participated in costume as well. The Rev. Virginia Carr recreated the service from the civil war era using the 1854 Book of Common Prayer. Her sermon spoke on the hardships and lives of its congregation during that time. It appeared almost ghostly to look out upon the participants and reflect on the lives no longer here.

Participants learned about William Seward and his affiliation to St. Peter's. Even though he was a member of the Vestry, he felt himself not worthy to be baptized. He was clear on the cost of being a Christian and what it meant. It would not be until much later that he felt himself ready to commit to a life of service and be baptized. Seward would go on to fight for the freedom, rights and equality of all people.